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Expressing grave concern over the dramatic increase in number of kidney patients from the state and the deaths in a medical college allegedly caused by the use of banned drugs and lack of adequate post-operative care, the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan India (JSAI) has requested Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to take actions including an urgent epidemiological investigation into the causes of higher prevalence of the disease.
It also demanded the government to enforce strict protocols to prohibit use of unapproved or banned medications in kidney transplant procedures.
Elaborating the serious nature of the issue, the organisation demanded immediate intervention to investigate and address the crisis, urgent recruitment of nephrologists and medical staff at the major public health facility of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttak, a thorough investigation into kidney-related deaths and treatment practices, and transparency and accountability regarding missing patients and medicine distribution.
"From 2010 to 2022, 190 kidney transplants were conducted at SCB Medical College and Hospital, with 42 recorded deaths. Additionally, 27 patients died allegedly due to the administration of banned drugs, specifically Nefgraf 0.5 mg tacrolimus capsules IP by CMG Biotech Pvt. Ltd., and due to a lack of adequate post-operative care. The drug was declared “Not of Standard Quality” by the CDSCO in August 2018," said the organisation in a letter to the Odisha Chief Minister.
"Of the 190 patients, 69 have died, 55 are reportedly alive and receiving medication under the Niramaya Free Medicine Scheme, but the status of 66 patients remains unaccounted for," it added. The organisation also demanded that the families of the patients who died due to medical negligence or insufficient post-operative care should be compensated adequately.
In a 2010 survey of 36,000 individuals, 1,500 were identified with kidney-related diseases, all receiving treatment in the major public health facility of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttak. Recent estimates now suggest that over 22% of patients in Odisha suffer from kidney disorders, with a significant number requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation.
In recent years, the number of patients needing regular dialysis and specialized kidney care has increased dramatically. Most of these individuals come from economically weaker sections and tribal communities, facing severe challenges in accessing timely diagnosis, treatment, and financial support.
JSAI demanded an urgent epidemiological investigation into the prevalence and causes of kidney disease in Odisha, and deploy a specialized medical team to conduct mass screenings and early diagnoses in affected areas. The government should investigate environmental and water sources to address contamination or toxicity that contributes to kidney ailments.
Gouranga Mohapatra and Amulya Nidhi National Convenor of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan India, JSAI, said that from March 2025, the state has reported 15,752 cases of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Tragically, over 4,000 patients have died of CKD in the past three years across districts such as Cuttack, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Koraput, Sundargarh, and others.
As per official records from the Nephrology Department at SCB Medical College, the department currently has only one Associate Professor and one contractual Assistant Professor, despite having seven sanctioned posts. These two doctors are tasked with managing five weekly OPDs, transplant surgeries, and inpatient care, making it nearly impossible to meet the needs of hundreds of patients. This acute shortage has created life-threatening conditions, and may also impact the renewal of recognition for the DM (nephrology) programme at the institution.
It demanded the state government to immediately fill all seven sanctioned teaching positions in the department, and remove the current Associate Professor, who is allegedly involved in unethical practices.
Despite the launch of the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) aimed at providing free dialysis to Below Poverty Line (BPL) patients at district hospitals, the ground reality remains grim, with patients still struggling to access these essential services. Repeated representations by the Kidney Transplant Patients’ Association and JSA Odisha to the Medical Education Department, the Chief Secretary, and even the Chief Minister of Odisha have not yielded any effective response.
"Immediate administrative intervention is essential to prevent further avoidable deaths and to uphold ethical and compassionate healthcare for kidney patients," it demanded.
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